kirgan



. Kl'v-RGAN TUBE CLEANER.

FILED JULY28.1921.

INVENTOR Jah ffm

H45 ATT NEY passin throuof the wall or head Q of the water iox orrc mberlD. A piston T on the outer tubular shaft F is adapted to reciprocate in the bore S in order to move the cleaning. device forward and back in the water box andclamp the cleaning device Lfirmly against the tube sheet. The end ot.' the cylinder is closed by a threaded bushing -VU screwed into the outer end of the cylinder R, packing V and a gland 'W maintaining aiiuid tight connection around the outer shaft F. The inner end of the bushing U and the water box head Q thus form the ends ot' the cylinder (R.

Theinner shaft G is hollow, forming a conduit X and it is of slightly greater length than the outer sha-tt F. At one end the inner shaft G is increased in diameter somewhat7 forming an annular shoulder Y against which the end of the outer shaft F abuts. At the opposite end the inner shaft G projects slightly beyond the end of the outer shaft F and into this end is screwed a tube Z which is fixedly secured in a cap a adapted ,to abut against the tube sheet when fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder R for moving the shafts and tube cleaning dev vice forwardly.

On the end of the outer shaft F within the water chamber D I secure one arm of kthe .toggle lever by means of a key al or otherwise and a similar arm e forming part of the toggle .l is secured to the portion of the .inner shaft Gprojecting beyond the end of the outer shaft F so that the base .of the -toggle lever J engages the end of the outer eters provided with a central longitudinal` bore j, the larger diametered body portion g having a Huid chamber r. A nozzle t is screwed into theend of the body portion f at one end of the chamber @this nozzle having a central bore u communicating with the chamber r and aligned with the bore *7' of the body portion f. The opposite smaller diametered end z' of the body portion f telescopes into a cylindrical can fu, the end 1/ of this cap o being provided .with a cushion or buffer .a of rubber or other resilient material adapted to abut against the inner wall of the head Q.

A pair of oppositely swinging toggle` arms 1 and Zare-pivoted on the central body portion k, the forwardarmQ abutting against an annularshoulder 3 at the end of the portion g, and are secured bymeans of a-.nnt 4 threaded on the end of the central portion h. The arms 1 and 2 are freely rotatable on the portion H and their free evndsare pivoted to the toggle arm portionslbqnd c re spectively, thus forming a reversely acting double toggle joint construction adapted to actin the-manner or lazy tongs.

f'lhe concentric arrangement ofthe shafts l1" and (if enables the tube cleaning device properto be adjustable radially of the tube sheet B, this beingr accomplished by rotative movement of the shafts F and G relatively to each other, and the device is adjustable in a circular plane by rbtative movement of the shafts F and G as a unit, movement of *e shafts being `effected by` proper manipulan n of the handles K and L.

Water is the medium usually employed for cleaning the tubes and this is su plied to the cleaning device from an v" suita e source, indicated in the present instanceas a pipe 5 connected to the end of the inner shut G. the pipe 5 leading to the conduit X extending through the inner shaftI Guthis conduit X communicating with the bore 6 of the tube .e in the cap a. The cap a is provided with a connection 7 at right angles to the `tuba-Z, the connection having a bore f8l communicating with the bore in the tubeZ. A 'flexible connection is required between the capaand cleaning device E on account lof the: relative movement between theselparts. a this is provided in the form of a `flexiblepipe ,or hose 9 extending froinithe connection 7 in the cap a to a connection 10 provided on the large diameter portion f] ol"` the cleaning deA vice proper. this connection 10 havingabore 100 1l couununicating with the chamber r witbin the large diameter `portion g.

From the chamber #the fluidnnder .pressure is distributed to the bore 7' lin the body portion f from whence `it vpasses to the ,bore 105 1Q in the cap and arts hydraulically to e8- tend the telescopic cap 'I'. causing the cap Pto tightly engage the wall Q of "the chamber D and the nozzle to enter the tube`v the nozzle thus being held in the tube under 110 the pressure of the fluid so that a -fluid tight connection is formed between the nozzle and tube and at the same time the tube cleaningy device is rigidly supported in exact aligned position, "The fluid ltlmrrltwvs'from 115 the nozzle in a jet underthe full pressure ior sca venging andrleani g tbeitube.

The master keyboard index onguide plan` M mounted on tlu` cylinder Il. by Suitable lunclzcts 13. This-guide plate may be of 120 the saule general conformation ,ns the.end ot' the condenser or other apparatus. It is provided with suitable indicia, in ,the .form of perforations or holes 0 corne pending to the tubes terminatingat the ltu Sht'vlB. 125 the holes (l beinglaid-out in exact-rati0 tn the tubes C in thepresent instance a-ratio ot about l to 2 being observed. Each Jtube (l thus has a hole Ororrespondingo it.

rl`he indicator' P operating in conjunction 13o 1,441,431 lili? with the guide plate mounted on the shafts lf" ainl by means of toggle levers ld and. l5 in the sameA manner as the tube clear lng device, the `lever i5 being keyed or otherwise secured tc theenlarged portion of the inner shaft G and the lever la being similarly securedon the endof the outer shaitll abutting against the enlarged portion 'Y of tl i shaft G. These toggles and l' arranged to bear the same ratio to the toggles of the `tube cleaning device as the indicia on the guide plate bears to the tubes, the toggles of the indicator and cleaning :le vice constituting a ijian'tograph.

From the above it `will be seen that ifotation of' the shafts ll and (if by means of the hainlles L and liv/l1 will siniultaneously correspend ugly actuate the tube cleaning device and indicator,effecting' alignment nii the indicator with anvdesired aperture or indicia on the guide plate and alignn'ient of the cleaning device lwith the individual tube cori responding to said aperture.

When the indicator has beenybrmight into alignment with the proper lindicia on the guide plate, pressure fluid is adn'iitted to the (,:ylinder lit behind `the piston T, moving the shafts F and (il, andhenee the tube cleaning device and indicator foiwvardly, so that the "pointer 16 of the indicator enters the aperture (i), the capa, engages" the tube sheet B, and the nozzle t penetrates into the tube il, allthese parts thus being siinultaneously .locked in operative position. i Cleaning fluid "l under pressure is theni admitted to the tube cleaning device in `the marmer already described to actuate the telescopic support for the tube cleaning device and clean the tube. flu the actuation of the piston rl as just setl l'forth fluid pressure, for instance coinpressed air, admitted to and exhausted iii-cin the ends of thechamber S of the cyl inderv ll through forward and rearward con duits l'? and f3.8, reipectively, passage oit the fluid through these conduits being controlled by a three Way valve i9 ofany desired form.

i fln the position shown the valve is adjusted `to admit fluid to the rearward conduit 1S and to the chamber S behind the piston "ll, the fluid vin the forward portion of the `chai'nber S in Yfront of the piston beine; `cXhaueted through the forward conduit/i7 and passing to atmosiiiheie through G are to be moved lu Figure i2 ll have iiulical Y justed positions ol'Y 'the ton 'l show broad range cf travel for U..e cle` vice 'which niv arrangement a'lhardsw l claim:

l. ln combination with a casing lnaving a ifiluialityv of tubes and a chamber sui4 rounding the ends of said tubes, a clean-- ing device adjuetabl'y mounted. lin said chan,I- ber and selective means including separati; indicia correspoiuling to individual tubes for effecting i a .'.g'ninent of said cleanine device with individual tubes to be cleaned.

2. ln combination with a casing having a pluralityv of tul'ies and u chamber surrounding the ends of said tubes, a tube clean ing devies-i adjustably mounted in said chain ber, and ineans conijjnfieing a guide plate having separate indicia ciu'resl'iornling to individual tubes to be cleaned, an indicator, and means for setting said iiulicator for efli'ecting alignment of the cleaning device with desired .individual tubes. i

3. ln combination With a casing having selective means comprising a guide `plate having indicia corresponding` to the tubes and an indicator operating coi'ijoii'itl'y with said cleaning device, and means for setting said indicator:

4. In combination 'with a condenser or the like having a plurality of' water tubes in the condensing chai'nber and a 'Water box in communication with d tubes, a tube clean-` ing device adjustably mounted in said 'water box and exteriorly operated selective means having separate indicia correspondin to individual tubes, for effecting alignniei'it of said cleaning device with i; lividual tubes to be cleaned. i

5. In combination with `a condenser or the like having a plurality of Water tubes in the condensing chamber vand a Water box 1n communication with said tubes, 1a tube cleaning" device having` a nozzle adjustably mounted in said Water box, means forconductingn fluid to said cleaning nozzle and exteriorly operated selective means compris ing a guide `plate having separate indicia correspondiug toindividual tubes and an indicator for effecting aligninei'it of said cleau ing nozzle With individual tubes to be cleaned, and means for locking the cleaning1 noz.- Zle in position. 'i

6. In combination with a condenser or the like having aplurality oit Water tubes in the condensingchamber and a Water box in coinn'iunication `with said tubes, a `cleaning device adjustably mounted in said Water said box and. exteriorlyoperated selective means having separate indicia.- corresponding to individual :tubes for eifecti laligmnent of said cleanilgfr nozzle .with in ividual tubes to be cleaned and means for locking the cleaning 'device' in aligned position.

7. I ncombinationavitha condenser or the like :having la plurality of. `Water tubes in the condensing chamberand a Wateribox in communication with said tubes, a tube cleaning'deviee adjustably mounted in said Water box, means -)for conductingwlluid to said cleaning device andexteri'orly operated selective means ifor aligning said cleaning dc vice with individual tubes to be cleaned, and )fluidractuated means for lockingthe cleaning device-in aligned position.

8. In combination with a condenser or the likeihavingl a plurality of watertubes feelin the condensing chan'iber rand :a waiterbox incommunication with rsaid tubes, a -pair i of lcencilmtric rotatable .shafts passing through said Waterlziointogglevlevers on the-portiono the-shaft witl'lin t'hewater box, artube cleaning Vdevice.mounted on said levers and selective rneans for a'ecting alignment 'ofi the cleaningy nozzle with individual tubes' to be cleaned.

19. In combination with .a condenser or the like havin-g a `plurality of .Water tubes in the 4condensing chamber and .a `Water box in communication with said tubes,-a pairof-coneentnic rotatable shafts passing through saidwaterbox, toggle levers on the portion ofthe shaft within the water box, a

tube cleaning device mounted on vsaid levers and selective means acting cong'ointlywith said cleaning .device for effecting alignment of thecleaningfnozzle with a4 tube indicated by said selective' means.

10. .In combination with a casing having a plurality of tubes and.` a chamber sur roundin #the `ends offsaiditubes, a pair 'of concentrlc ,rotatable shafts. .passing through the Wall of said chamber, toggle levers on said shafts, a tube cleaningr device mounted on said levers contiguoustothe tubes, a "guide platehaving 5indicia correspond ingfto the tubes, and an indicator operating conjointly with said cleaning deviceto efect alignment of the cleaning device with atube corresponding to y'theindicia insregist-er withfsaid indicator. Y

l1. In combnationiivith a casing having a pluralityi of tubes and a chamber surrounding theJ ends of said'y tubes, a pair of concentric rotatable shafts passing through the Wallof said'chamber, toggle levers on said; shafts, av tube cleaning Adevicernounted on said levers contiguous to `-the'.t.ubes, a guide '-plate :having indicia corresponding torthe tubes, and an indicatoralsomounted onfsaid.' shafts .and operating oonjointly ,with said'. cleaning device for effecting alignment ofthe cleaning .fdevice vwith .a tube correspending to the indicia in reosterewith said indicator, and means -foixlodlring the cleaningdeviee in operative position.

l2. .In combination with a cas' having a pluralityrof tubesanrl a cham aur. rounding thends of said tubes, a guide plate havin'gdndicia correspondilg to Said tubes. .a cleaning kleviceiarljustdbly mounted in said chamber, an indicator ter o rating in conjunction With-s .guide p te and adjustable in correspondence with said cleaning device to effect alignment o Said cleaning device with individuahtubesito be cleaned.

13. In combination with a oas' having a plurality of tubes and a ehaulller surrounding. the ends of said tubes,a tube cleaning device adjustably mounted in Saidchamber, means for conducting fluid to Suid cleaningdevice, a guilde .'platehaving apertures corresponding tothe. tubes yand anindioator adjustable in correspondence with said cleaning device andrmeansifor setting said indicatorv to simultaneously elect .alignment ofthe indicator with an :aperture in the guide plate mnd 4alignment; of the cleanin device with the individual tube correspon ingto said aperture.

14. In combination with-.a casing having a :plurality of tubes and `a chamber surrounding the ends ofsaid tubes, in.: air of concentric rotatable Shafts passing rough the wall of said chamber, boggledevers on said shafts, ,a tube clearing device mounted on said levers contiguous to the tubes, a guide plate having anaperture corresponding to each tube and aniudicator operatin conjointly with said cleaning `device an ada ted to register .with an aperture in the gui e plateito eil'ect alignmentofthe cleaning. device with a tube` corresponding tothe aperture in register with said indicator.

In combination :witnessing having a plurality of tubes anda chamber surrounding;the ends of smid tubes, a* pair of concentric rotatable shafts passing through the Wall of said chamber, toggle levers onfsaid shafts, a .tube cleaning device mounted on Said levers contiguous to. thci tubes, a guide plate having ian aperture correspmding to each-l tube, an indicator also mounted .on said shafts, said indicator .operating canjointly with `said `cleaning .device and beingadapted tofregister .Withan aperture inithe guide plate to effect alignment of thecleaning device ivith a tube correspondiagitothe aperture -in register with said `indicator and means for-locking thecleaning device in operative position.

`16. In combination with a casing having a plurality of tubes and .n..chlimber surroundin the ends ofsaidubes, -a air of concentric rotatable `shafts passing. rough the `wall of said chamber, toggle `levers on said shaft, a cleaning device mounted on said 130 levers, said. cleaning device having a Huid discharge nozzle, a guide plate having in `dicia corresponding to the tubes, an indica `tot also mounted on said sbatte and opera'- ing conjointly With said cleaning; device to e'tfect alignment ol tbe cleaning' device with a tube corresponding to tbe indicia in regie ter with said indicaton ineens -toi' moving said shafts longitudinally to lock tbe cleaning device in adjusted position, and ineens toi' conductinle,` cleansing' fluid 'under piresA sure to the cleaning device, said cleaning; device being; longitudinally extensible to nrovide a Huid ti glut connection between tbe a casing;r having spending to tbe tubos an indicator' open atingr conliointly with said cleaning device to eitect alignment oit tbe cleaning device with a tube corresponding to the apeitui'e in register with said indicator, fluid actu ated means 'for moving said sbatte longitudiinilly lo locltv tlieeleaning device in adI j usted position, and means toi' conducting cleansingr duid undei1 pres-surfe to tbe clean-- inf;n device te eiiect longitudinal entensioil ol tbe cleaningV device and piovide a fluid tight connection between tbe nozzle and tube duifu ing discliaige oit cleansing fluid :troni 'tlie nozzle.

ld. ln coiui'iination 'with a casingr havin@r a pluralitjT of tubesT a cleaning device ad instable across tbe ends of said tubes, a guide plate having separate indicia coi'iespending 'to individual tubes and an indiu cater movable vvitb said cleaning device and adapted to :register 1ivitb said irdicia to? se lectivel7 aligningr said cleaningr device ivitbf individual tubes to be cleaned.

i9. ln combination 'with a casing* having plurality ot tubes and a chanibei surround ing the ends otsaid tubes, shafts passing through the Wall of said chamber, toggle levers on said. shafts, a tube cleaning device nlounted on said levers contiguous to the tubes and means opeiatinn' conjointlv 'ivitli said. cleaning device to eil'ect alignment of the olea-ning device ivitb any individual tube desired to be cleaned.

ln testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

JHN l?. KIRGAN.

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